Reykjavik, founded by Viking settler Ingólfur Arnarson around 870 C.E., is Iceland's first permanent settlement. By 1703, a census recorded 69 residents, and the area featured a farm and a church. A striking statue of Leif Erikson stands in the town center, honoring Iceland's Viking heritage. The city's name, meaning "smoky bay," reflects the geothermal activity in the region.

Flatey Island, located in Breidafjordur Bay in northwestern Iceland, is a remote gem. Known as "Flat Island," it spans 2 km in length and 1 km in width, with a single road running through its charming old village. While sheep and seabirds dominate the population, the island is especially renowned for its birdlife. It hosts over 30 species during the breeding season, including Atlantic puffins and Arctic terns—making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

Siglufjordur is the northernmost town on the Icelandic mainland, a small fishing village of 1,200 people. Founded in 1918, it was the capital of the North Atlantic herring fishing industry in the past. The Sildarminjasafnid Herring Era Museum, one of Iceland's largest seafaring and industrial museums, houses three different areas where one can learn about both the traditional and the modern herring industry. A collection of many historic fishing vessels and artifacts is proudly displayed by the people of Siglufjordur, detailing how herring was salted, processed, and collected. The small harbor, with its colorful fishing boats and the red-roofed steeple of the Lutheran church, dominates the village scene.

Included Herring Heyday of Siglufjordur Experience

Your guide will meet you at the pier and walk to the Siglufjordur's award-winning Herring Era Museum, pointing out local history and cultural elements. As part of your visit, watch the Herring Salting Show - a fun and energetic live performance based on the work of the 'herring girls.' For a multi-sensory experience, before you walk back to the ship, you can also sample the local herring with traditional rye bread, washed down with Icelandic schnapps.

Included Hvanneyrarskal Valley Hike Experience

Enjoy a hike up to the charming Hvanneyrarskal Valley, where you come across beautiful views into town and across the fjord. The guide will discuss the town's history, interesting flora and fauna, the purpose of the snjoflodagardur, and other interesting subjects. The guide will meet the group at the harbor and return the group to the harbor.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

Akureyri is Iceland's second-largest urban area, with a population of around 18,000. Nicknamed 'The Capital of the North,' it is situated at the head of Eyjafjordur, the longest fjord in Iceland, only 62 miles (100 km) from the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by snow-streaked mountains, the Akureyri hills flourish in summer with a profusion of arctic wildflowers. Mt. Kerling is the highest peak visible from the town, at 5,064' (1,538 m). Often cloudy and with a mild climate, Akureyri has much less precipitation than its southern counterpart, Reykjavik. It is a cultured city with a university, numerous galleries, museums, art exhibitions, and live theater performances.

Included Wonders of Lake Myvatn Experience

Begin with a scenic drive along Eyjafjordur, Iceland's longest fjord, with beautiful views of Akureyri and surrounding mountains. Cross Vikurskard Pass to see the geological features of Fnjoskadalur Valley. Stop at Godafoss, a spectacular waterfall where the Skjalfandafljot River drops 36 feet over a 100-foot-wide span. Continue to Lake Myvatn, pausing to view the Skutustadir Craters before lunch. Afterward, explore the Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth and relax at Myvatn Nature Baths, which has geothermal waters and steam clouds. Return to the coach for the trip back to the ship.

Included Akureyri, Falls & Farmland Experience

Departing Akureyri, journey across the fjord and along Vadlaheidi Mountain through the Fnjoskadalur Valley, passing Vaglaskogur Forest, one of Iceland's rare woodlands. Stop at the impressive Godafoss waterfall, known as the "waterfall of the heathen gods" and a symbol of Iceland's conversion to Christianity. Next, visit Laufas, a well-preserved 19th-century turf farmhouse and museum showcasing traditional Icelandic architecture and artifacts. The site also includes a charming 1865 country church. Return to Akureyri for a brief city tour featuring an outside view of the modern central church and a visit to the Botanical Gardens.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

Spend your days at sea, enjoying the many facilities available.

Remote and isolated, Jan Mayen is dominated by 2,277 meters (7,470’) high Beerenberg Volcano and its large ice cap. The island has two parts: larger northeast Nord-Jan and smaller southwest Sor-Jan, linked by a 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) wide isthmus. The League of Nations gave jurisdiction of Jan Mayen to the Kingdom of Norway in 1921. Except for being used as a meteorological, radio, and navigation aid for shipping in the Atlantic, the island has remained untouched; its only inhabitants are 18 military personnel.

Towering glaciers meet the restless sea, creating a mesmerizing landscape of contrasts at East Greenland's Ice Edge. Witness colossal icebergs calving from the glacier fronts while keeping an eye out for wildlife such as seals and seabirds. Experience the profound tranquility of this remote wilderness amidst the frozen majesty of the ice edge.

Spend your days at sea, enjoying the many facilities available.

Svalbard is a remote, vast, and wild place, largely untouched by human presence. In visiting this destination, your plans and itinerary are not set, as the team allows the weather, conditions, and wildlife to dictate each day. Should a polar bear appear on the horizon, you may stop or go on a Zodiac to get a better look. Should ice choke the waters in front, you might slow down and explore the edge of this ice while admiring its colors and forms while searching for wildlife, or else turn and choose another destination. Should storms lash against the site you want to visit, you may opt to find a more protected bay and explore a different spot. Whatever you do, Svalbard holds many beauties and mysteries, and exciting discoveries are always available for those whose eyes and hearts are open.

Some of the highlights of visiting Svalbard include:

Tundra landscapes – Hike across stark, seemingly barren landscapes with Expedition Staff, who will show you the delightful small plants and flowers that thrive in this hostile environment. Admire rock formations and landscapes created by frost and water over time. While exploring the tundra, there is always a chance to encounter Arctic foxes, reindeer, and other interesting bird species.

Polar bears – This iconic species, the King of the Arctic, is a magical creature to encounter. Whether seen as a tiny white speck in the distance or ambling along a shoreline, a glimpse of this special species is always awe-inspiring. You never pursue polar bears or allow your encounters to impact them adversely, so the team manages your activities carefully. Always on shore, your walks are carefully monitored by your Bear Guards, who work to maintain the safety of both visitors and the bears.
 
Historic remains – Although the history of human endeavors in Svalbard is minimal, some historic huts and remains from whaling eras linger on shore to remind you of the hardy souls who ventured before you into this hostile land and scraped a living from the resources they found here. Trappers' huts stand as lonely sentinels in this vast landscape and allow visitors to contemplate a life of hardship and beautiful isolation for those who inhabited them in the past. 

Zodiac cruises – A Zodiac cruise often provides the best vantage to admire icebergs and glacier fronts. The blue color of the ice is mesmerizing, and the shapes the ice forms are captivating. While in the Zodiacs, there is always the chance to encounter fascinating marine life such as beluga whales, humpback whales, or elusive seals and walruses. 

Optional Expeditions will take place where possible. Join your Kayak Team to paddle in the high Arctic along the shores of any expedition stops around the Svalbard archipelago. Depending on where you go, you can anticipate huge open vistas, big terrain, glaciers, wildlife, and impressive arctic scenery. Explore the rugged topography and coastline of this spectacular & magical area from a unique water-level perspective.

Longyearbyen, the seat of the Governor of Svalbard, is located in a narrow valley along the shores of Adventfjorden, a small tributary of Isfjord and the most extensive fjord system in Svalbard. It extends 100 kilometers (60 miles) into the island of Spitsbergen. Nine large tidewater glaciers drain into the fjord with a combined ice front of 21 kilometers (13 miles) and dozens of hanging glaciers. 

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city that effortlessly combines ancient history with a vibrant modern energy. Its streets are steeped in stories, from the cobblestones of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian avenues of the New Town, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Edinburgh Castle, majestically poised atop an ancient volcanic rock, and stroll the Royal Mile to the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse. Discover world-class art at the Scottish National Gallery and find serenity in the Princes Street Gardens. Marvel at the contemporary Scottish Parliament building, tour the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia and immerse yourself in Edinburgh's thriving cultural scene when night falls.